Recreational Drugs; Addiction and Neuroscience

Question 1

what is the common reason that recreational drugs interfere with neurotransmission?

Answer 1

They mimic natural neurotransmitters

Question 2

What is dopamine?

Answer 2

A neurotransmitter of ‘pleasure’

Question 3

Where and when is dopamine released?

Answer 3

From the presynaptic neuron following depolarisation

Question 4

How does cocaine interact with neurotransmission?

Answer 4

Blocks vesicles that reuptake monoamines, causing higher release of monoamines into the synaptic cleft

Question 5

How do amphetamines interact with neurotransmission?

Answer 5

Displaces monoamines from vesicles during, causing higher release of monoamines into the synaptic cleft

Question 6

What are examples of monoamines?

Answer 6

Dopamine, Norepinepherin, Seratonin

Question 7

What effect do recreational drugs have on dopamine levels?

Answer 7

Blocks reuptake and causes higher release of dopamine into the brain, stimulating a higher sense of pleasure

Question 8

What are the high, moderate and low efficacy levels for synthetic cananboids?

Answer 8

High = Full agonist
Moderate = Partial agonist
Low = Antagonist

Question 9

How is cocaine part of a ‘reward’ system in the brain?

Answer 9

Natural rewards (e.g. good food) activate dopamine systems as a ‘reward’, cocaine does the same thing